Apparatus for supplying fuel to hydrocarbon-motors



G. B. MAEGLY.. APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL T0 HYDRUCAHBON MOTORS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1. 1915.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES G. B. MAEGLY.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FVUEVL'TO HYDROCARBON MOTORS.

APPVUCATION FILED NOV. 1. I915- 1,352,671. Patentedsept. 14, 1920.

2 SHEETS -SHEET 2.

' G WITNESSES: I 98 l/VVE/VTUR G50. B.MAEGLY A TTOHWEY UNITED STATES GEORGE B. MAEGLY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR'TO STROMBERG MOTOR PATENT OFFICE.

DEVICES COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AIPARATUS FOR SUPFIQYING FUEL TO HYDROCARBON-MOTORS.

To all whom it may. concern Be it known that I, GEoRenB. MAEGLY', a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Supplying Fuel to Hydrocarbon- Motors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon,

which form apart of this specification.

invention relates to improvements in apparatus for supplying fuel to hydro-carbon motors,'and more particularly to an apparatus for use in combination with the storage tank .and' carbureter of a motor driven vehicle; the principal object of the invention being to provide simplified means whereby the suction created by the plstons of the motor is used to automatically pump liquid fuel from a storage tank and to ele- "(jvate and store the same so that it may be i flow by gravity to the carbureter, and to so control the flow as to maintain an adequate supply at all times.

The-preferred form of my improvements is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure I is an elevational viewof a gasolene supply" apparatus containing my improvements; the main storage tank and part of the auxiliary storage tank being in section for better illustration.

.Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of the float chamber, showing the suction controlling mechanism with the parts in position for closing the float chamber to suction from the manifold.

Fig. III is a similar view, showing the parts in position for admitting suction to the float chamber.

Fig. IV is a cross-section on the line IVIV, Fig. 11. I Referring more in detail to the drawmgs:

1 designates a motor, of any ordinary type, having an intake manifold 2 that is supplied with fuel vapor from a carbureter v3, and 4 designates a gasolene storage tank which is mounted on the vehicle at a distance from the motor.

Leading from the tank 4 is a conduit 5 through which gasolene from the storage tank is delivered to the carbureter 3', the

tank 4 being normally open to atmosphere through a vent port 6, preferably located in the filler cap of the tank.' Extending into the tank from the conduit 5 is a tube 7 having a neck 8 threaded into a collar 9 on the storage tank, and having a lower end 10 terminating adjacent the bottom of the tank but normally spaced vertically"therefrom, the tube 7 being retainedjbya gland l1 thereon and the parts beingso-arranged that the tube 7 may be screwed into the col lar 9 and extended farther into the tank when occasion requires.

This arrangement is designed to give notice to the operatorwhen the gasolene supply is running low; and also to insure an available reserve supply sufficient to carry him to a station at which his supply may be replenished.

It will be ap arent that when the gaso lene level is be ow thebottom of the tube 7, the motor will stop for want of fuel. The operator may then screw the tube 7 into the tank sufficiently to reach the remaining gasolene, and by turning the motor over a few times thus lift a supply sufficient for restarting the motor, after which the reserve supply is automatically made available for the carbureter.

Mounted on the conduit 5 is a T-fitting 13; thebody of which isiprovided with chambers 14-15 in its opposite ends, and containing the valve balls 16 17; the conduit 5 having a fitting threaded into the chamber 15 and comprising a seat for the ball valve 17, so that back pressure of gasolene in the system ivill seat the ball and prevent back-flow to the tank 4, a pin 18 being located in the chamber 14 at the side of the ball opposite the conduit, so that when there is suction in the system the ball will be drawn away from its seat and perbureter.

Communlcation between the tank 22 andtin-m1 stant communication is maintained between the interior of the tank and the fitting 13. Seated in the end of the chamber 14 is a fitting 25 of a conduit 26, the opposite end of which is located in a branch 27 of a fitting 28 on a neck 29, that is carried by and opens into a supply tank 30, having a con- 'duit 31 opening from the bottom thereof and leading to the carbureter S.

A vent pipe 32 extends upwardly from the fitting 28 to a point approximately as high as the top of 'tank 22. ,Through this ed to permit the gasolene to flow to the car extending through the latter is a guide tube.

36 having a threaded mounting in the cap and projecting downwardly into the tank.-

Mounted on the upper end of the tube 36 38. having a bore 39, and threaded "l bore is a valve plug 40, having a valve portion 41 located within the tube and having a central passage 42 com is ead prisin a valve seat 43 at'its lower end; the

said p ug being removablefrom the head 38 when replacement may be necessary.

lvlounted on the head 38 is a gland nut 45, and extending through the latter and in dpen communication with the central pas sage 42 is a tube a6, whichleads to, and

opens into the intake manifold 2 of the" motor 1, so that when in operation, suction created by the pistons in the motor cylinders is transferred through the tube 46 to the tube 36 and thence through ports 47 in said tube to the interior of the suction tank.

In order to control the suction in the tank 22 I provide the tube with a valve and operating mechanism, comprising a float rod 49 slidably' mounted in a bearing 50. The rod 19 projects downwardly and is threaded into a socket 51, of a fitting 53, of a float 54E in the tank 22.

The upper end of the rod 49 carries a head 56, guided loosely in the tube 36 and mounted on said head is a valve ca e 57, the upper end of which comprises a anged head 58, having a bore 59'adapted for receiving the tapered end d1 of the valve plug 40, through which suction reaches the tank 22; the upper end of the bore 59 serving as a valve seat for valve 61, the upper end of which is loosely has a collar 64 on its lower end, and surrounding said needle valve and resting on the collar 6st 18 a compresslon sprlng 65, that engages-the lower end of the flanged head 58 when the needle valve is at the upper limit ofits movement and the cage 57 is at its lower limit, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. H1; the spring 65 being adapted to prevent the needle valve from returning, when it is first disconnected from its seat, as will presently be more fully described, and the cage 57' having a port 57 at its lower end through which air may fiow to lift the valve 61 when suction is in the tube 46.

As the tank 22 is airtight I provide automatic means "for relieving the vacuum in order that "fuel drawn thereinto may freely flow to the supply tank 30 when the suction from the motor is cut off. This means preferably. comprises a valve casing 66 having a head 67 threaded into its lower end, and provided with a shank 68 which is threaded. into an opening 69 in the cap of tank 22, the said shank having a'bore 70 by which communication is established between the chamber of the tank and that of the casing 66. The casing 66 has a vent port 72 adjacent the head 67 and is provided with a vent 73in open communication with atmosphere, and slid ably mounted within the casing 66 is a cup valve 74.

Seated on the top of the head 67 is a spring 75, theupper end of which is located within and bears against the valve 74:, so that the tension of the spring 75 yieldingly retains the cup valve at the upper limit of its travel, and with the port 72 normally uncovered and the tank 22 open to atmosphere, it is apparent that when there is vacuum in the tank 22, atmospheric pressure will force the cup valve 75% down against the tension of the spring 75 and cover the port 7 2, and thus seal and make the tank 22 airtight.

Assuming that the parts are constructed and assembled as described, and that there is a supply of fuel in the tank 30, but none in the tank 22, the valves and ports will be ,in the positions illustrated by full lines in Fig. III. Assuming further that the motor will three the valve 16 to its seat and the tank will be otherwise sealed as long as the valve 61 is off its seat. Atmospheric pressure will now force the gasolene instoragetank 4 upwardly through the tube 7, and conduit 5, past the checkvalve 17 and into the tank 22.

As the gasolene rises in the tank 22, the float 54 is lifted therewith and when the float reaches a predetermined height, the cage 57 will have'reached the upper limit of its movement so that the seat of the bore 59 will engage the tapered end-41 of the valve plug 40, and thus restrict the suction to the bore 59. The needle valve will now be forced upwardly until it finds its seat 43; this closes the tube 42 and cuts off the suction from the motor. of the bore of tube 42 and the weight of the valve 61 are so proportionately related that the suction above the valve will hold the latter to its seat, but that the additional weight of the float is suflicient to overcome the suction, and pull, the valve from its seat, and leave it free to drop into its cage.

As-soon as the suction is shut off by the valve 61 finding its seat, the tension of the spring 7 5 will lift the cup valve and uncover the vent port 72; this relieves the vacuum below the valve and permits tank 22 to evacuate into and replenish tank 30. As the gasolene flows out of the tank 22, the float 54 lowers and draws the cage 57 with it, the needle valve 61 however, being held to its seat by suction until the float reaches the lower limit of its movement. As the float approaches this position the lower end of the head 58 engages the spring 65 that surrounds the needle valve, and the weight of the float is transferred to the valve and the latter is pulled from its seat and drops by gravity into the cage, the action of the spring insuring thepositiveseparation of the needle valve from its seat and prevents thechattering which would otherwise be the tendency.

As soon as the valve 61 leaves its seat, suction is again admitted to the tank 22, and the filling operation heretofore described is re peated; it being pparent that the supply tank is uniformly replenished, and the needs of the carbureter automatically met without care or attention on the part of the driver.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. In combination, a source of suction, a float tank connected therewith, a storage tank below the level of said float tank and connected with said float tank, a float in said float tank, a valve operated by said float and controlling the connection of said source of suction, and a second valve also controlling the connection of said source of suction, said second valve closing with said first named valve, but remaining closed until after said It will be understood that the area first named valve has opened and moved a predetermined amount. 2

2. In combination .with source of suction and a liquid fuel storage tank, a float tank, a connection between the float tank and storage tank, a connection between the float tankand source of suction whereby flow from the storage tank 1-s induced by suction from said source comprising a double valve seat, a float in the float tank, a valve member mounted having communication with the storage tank and with the source of suction, a double valve seat in the line of communication to the source of suction, a float in the float tank, a valve member on the float adapted for seating on one of said valve seats when the float is raised, a second valve member supported by the first and movable thereby to the other valve seat and adapted for support in said valve seat by suction in the line of communication, whereby said line is closed by the second valve member while the first valve member is lowered with the float, means on the first valve member for unseating the second member when the float has reached a predetermined level, and means for controlling .the intake of free air to the float tank.

4. In combination with a source of suction, a liquid fuel storage tank, a float tank having communication with the fuel tank and with the source of suction, a double valve seat in the line of communication to the source of suction, a float in the float tank, a valve member on the float adapted for seating on one of said valve seats when the float is raised, a second valve member supported by the first and movable thereby to the other valve seat and adapted for support in said valve 'seat by suction in the line of communication,

lowered with the float, means on the first named valve member for unseating the second member when the float has reached a predetermined level, means for controlling the intake of free air to the float tank, a collar on the second valve member, and a spring surrounding said member and adapt= ed for compression when the said member is seated, to accelerate the unseating of said member.

5. In combination with a source of suction, a liquid fuel storage tank, a float tank having'communication with the storage tank and with the source of suction, a'valve seat in the line of communication to the source of suction, a float in the float tank, a valve cage on the float movable toward and from said valve seat, a valve-member slidable in said cage and adapted for support thereby to seat the valve member when the float is raised, means on the cage for unseating said valve when the float is lowered to a pre-determined level, and an automatic valve for controlling the intake of free air to the float tank.

6. In combination, a source of suction, a float tank connected therewith, a storage tank below the level of said float tank and connected with said float'tank, a float in said float tank, a valve operated by said float and controlling the connection of said source of suction, a second valve also controlling the connection of said source of suction, said second valve closing with said first named valve but remaining closed until after said first named valve has opened and moved a predetermined amount, an atmosphere inlet for said float tank, and a valve closing by suction controllin said atmosphere inlet.

7. In combination with a source of suction, a liquid fuel storage tank, a float tank,

" a conduit leading from the source of suction to the float tank and comprising a valve member closing by suction, a conduit leading from the storage tank to the float tank, whereby flow of liquid to the float tank is induced by suction from said source, a conduit leading from the float tank, a valve adapted for direct mechanical cocperation with the said valve member and for support in such position by suction from said source to close communication through the conduit leading from the source of suction, and float actuated mechanism for seating and unseating said valve.

8. In combination with a source of suction, a liquid fuel storage tank, afloat tank, a conduit leading from the source of suction to the float tank and comprising a valve member closing by suction, a conduit leading from the storage tank to the float tank, whereby flow of liquid to the float tank is induced by suction from said source, a conduit leading from the float tank, a valve adapted for direct mechanical coiiperation with the said valve member and for support in such position by suction from said source to close communication through the conduit leading from the source of suction, float actuated mechanism for seating and unseating said valve, and means for maintaining communication between the float tank and atmosphere while said valve is seated.

9. In combination with a source of suction, a liquid fuel storage tank, afloat tank, a conduit leading from the source of suction to the float tank and comprising a valve member closing by suction, a conduit leading from the storage tank to the float tank, whereby flow of liquid to the float tank is induced by suction from said source, a conduit leading from the float tank, a valve adapted, for direct mechanical cooperation with the said valve-member and for support in such position by suction from said sdurce to close communication to said source, float actuated mechanism} for seating and unseating said valvegand means for maintaining communication between the float tank and atmosphere while said valve is seated and for automatically closing such con'nnunication when the valve is opened.

10. In combination with a source of suction, a float tank, a float within the tank, a valve integral with the float and movable with the latter, and a second valve within and governed by the float valve andadapted for controlling suction from said source.

11. In combination with a source of SllC- tion, a liquid elevating mechanism comprising a float tank, a valve chamber above and in open communication with the float tank, a concentrically arranged valve seat in the 'upper end of said valve chamber, a second valve seat concentrically arranged within the first named seat, a float within the float tank, a valve onfsaid float slidably mounted within the valve chamber and'adapted for registration with said first named valve seat, and a needle valveslidabl I mounted and concentrically arranged wit in the floating valve and adapted for registration with the second named valve seat.

12. In a device of the character described, a float tank, a valve chamber opening into said tank, a float in said tank, an upwardly extending stem rigidly mounted on said float and slidably mounted in the valve chamber, a valve cage on said stem, a plunger valve slidably mounted in the valve cage, and a conduit opening to said tank and adapted for closure by'the plunger valve.

13. The combination with a float tank, of a valve chamber in said tank, a conduit having a valve seat in one end of said chamber, a second valve seat concentrically arranged within the first named seat, a floating valve within the chamber and adapted for registration with the first named seat and a needle valve concentrically mounted within the floating valve and adapted for registration with the second named valve seat.

1.4. The combination with a tank, of intake and exhaust conduits communicating with said tank, an automatic valve for controlling admiss'ion of air to the tank,'a valve chamber having communication with the interior of the tank, a valve seat at the outer end of said chamber, a conduit leading to said valve seat, a valve cage slidably mounted in said chamber and having an extension leading to the exterior thereof opposite the valve seat, and having a port, afloat on said extension Within the tank, a plunger valve slidably mounted within the cage and having a valve portion at one end adapted for closing said valve seat and having means at its opposite end for engagement by the valve cage to unseat said valve portion.

15. The combination with a tank, of intake and exhaust conduits communicating with said tank, an automaticvalve'for controlling admission of air to the tank, a valve chamber having communication with the interior of the tank, avalve seat at the outer end of said chamber, a conduit leading to said valve seat, a valve cage slidably mounted in said chamber and having an extension leading to the exterior thereof opposite the valve seat,a float on said extension within the tank, a plunger valve slidably mounted within the cage and having a valve portion at one end adapted for closing said valve seat and having means at its opposite end for engagement by the valve cage for unseating said valve portion, and yielding means for urging said plunger valve away from the valve sea 16. The combination with a tank, of intake and exhaust conduits communicating with said tank, an automatic valve for controlling admission of air to the tank, a valve chamber having communication with the interior of said tank, a valve member at the outer end of said chamber, a guide at the inner end of said chamber, a valve cage movably mounted in said chamber and having an interior collar at one end, a head at the opposite end of the valve cage, a v;alve rod slidably mounted in said collar and adapted to engage said head, a collar on said rod, the valve rod at its upper end ada )ted for cooperation with the valve mem er in said chamber, and a spring surrounding said rod and adapted for engaging the valve rod away from said valve member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE B. MAEGLY. 

